A Qualitative Investigation of Low Socioeconomic Children's Participation in Physical Activity

In terms of health, children living in low socioeconomic families are disadvantaged relative to higher socioeconomic groups. Obtaining data to help improve health outcomes in this segment is challenging. Interviews were used to collect data from a sample of 36 low socioeconomic parents with overweight primary school children to identify the barriers to their children's participation in physical activity. Identified barriers included financial, parent, child, and environmental factors. The participants recognised the importance of physical activity for their children and many expressed guilt at not being able to ensure their children engaged in adequate exercise. Recommendations for future physical activity interventions for this target group are provided.Socioeconomic status; children; physical activity; barriers; health